Meet Your Army, with Major General Charles W.Whittington, Jr., First Army Deputy Commanding General

As part of a community initiative to sustain a connection with the American public, Major General Charles Whittington visits for a free program to discuss the #MeetYourArmy initiative and to provide updates on current operations. Presented in partnership with the U.S. Army Office of Public Affairs, Midwest and the First U.S. Army.

Throughout the last 14 years, the American public saw a steady stream of information about the Army through television and newspapers. But as involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan has died down, Americans are seeing fewer soldiers in the press. And even fewer Americans know a soldier personally.

Through the newly-created #MeetYourArmy campaign, the Army hopes to put soldiering back in the spotlight. The program will bring the Army and soldiers to communities throughout the United States, where both civilians and local press can interact with them and learn more about who defends their nation.

MAJOR GENERAL CHARLES WHITTINGTON, JR., was assigned as the FIRST ARMY DEPUTY COMMANDING GENERAL-OPERATIONS, August 16, 2015. Major General Whittington is responsible for assisting the Commanding General with the training, readiness, and mobilization of all Army National Guard and Army Reserve units across the United States and two U.S. territories.

Prior to becoming First Army Deputy Commanding General – Operations, Maj. Gen. Whittington served, since October 2012, as Commanding General, 29th Infantry Division and served as the principle advisor to the Adjutants General of Virginia and Maryland on employment of the division on state and federal missions.

Maj. Gen. Whittington received his commission in the United States Army in December of 1986 through the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program at the University of Southern Mississippi.

Maj. Gen. Whittington is a career Field Artillery Officer who has served in Germany and as a Field Artillery Instructor at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. During Operation Desert Storm, he served in Kuwait and Iraq as a Battery Executive Officer. Since joining the Maryland National Guard in 1993, he has commanded and held staff assignments at the battery, battalion and brigade levels.

Maj. Gen. Whittington is a career Field Artillery Officer who has served in Germany and as a Field Artillery Instructor at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. During Operation Desert Storm, he served in Kuwait and Iraq as a Battery Executive Officer. Since joining the Maryland National Guard in 1993, he has commanded and held staff assignments at the battery, battalion and brigade levels.

In March 2007, Maj. Gen. Whittington deployed to Camp Victory, Iraq as Deputy Commander, 58th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. In June 2008, he assumed command of the 58th Infantry Brigade Combat Team and oversaw the Brigade's transformation to the 58th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade. He served as Deputy Commander, 29th Infantry Division from June 2010 to September 2012. From September 2011 to July 2012, Maj. Gen. Whittington deployed to Kabul, Afghanistan where he served on the International Joint Command Staff as Director, Afghan National Security Forces Development/International Security Assistance Force. There, he led a joint multicultural team tasked with developing and implementing key initiatives to facilitate the growth and development of the Afghan National Security Forces.

In his civilian career, Maj. Gen. Whittington is the vice president and Chief Information Officer for the Pactiv Corporation in Lake Forest, Illinois.

He is a graduate of the Field Artillery Officer Basic Course, Field Artillery Officer Advanced Course, Combined Arms Services Staff School, Command and General Staff College and the U.S. Army War College.

Maj. Gen. Whittington’s awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, and the Meritorious Service Medal with three Oak Leave Clusters, the Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Achievement Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Southwest Asian Service Medal with Campaign Stars, the Iraqi Campaign Medal and the Parachutist Badge.